Breastfeeding in public is a basic civil right all women are entitled to. Breastfeeding in public is legal in almost every state, except Idaho. Most states have laws protecting a woman’s right to breastfeed in public. Idaho currently has no law protecting a woman’s right to breastfeed in public.
Breastfeeding laws generally fall into two categories. Some states exclude breastfeeding in public from the state’s criminal laws regarding indecent exposure or obscenity, so that a woman cannot be charged criminally for nursing in public.
Other states, such as New York and California, offer stronger protection in the form of civil statutes protecting a woman’s right to breastfeed in public. Federal law also protects nursing mothers, although it only ensures them the right to breastfeed in public if they are on federal property.
While 49 states have provisions granting women the right to breastfeed in public, there are currently no state provisions explicitly providing protection for moms who pump.
Tips for nursing in public:
decide whether you would feel more comfortable using a baby carrier or finding a comfortable place to sit. If you’re looking for privacy in busy places like a restaurant, typically booths offer the most privacy. Wear clothes that will allow you to nurse your baby easily, like nursing bras. A loose-fitting shirt or top that lifts or can be unbuttoned from the waist is a good choice. You can also buy special nursing tops and shirts from the store. Or, some women prefer to use the two shirt method. The two shirt method usually involves wearing a tank top or other clothing that allows quick and easy access to the breasts, and a shirt over top. This way you can lift one shirt up and have another shirt underneath providing you with more coverage. At the beach it may be helpful to wear a cover up that can be pulled up from the bottom. There are also swimsuits for breastfeeding women, but they can be pricey.
Tips for nursing discreetly:
If you prefer more privacy, some women prefer to use nursing covers or a light blanket. The two shirt method will also provide a little more coverage. Covers are great because they stay in place and they are made to be lightweight. Some covers come with a pocket to hold snacks or your phone. Some covers come with rigid necklines, which allow you to see your baby and maintain eye contact while using the cover. Nursing covers can be found online, or even at your local Walmart or Target!
Tips for pumping discreetly:
wearing or making your own pumping bra will make pumping easier. Using the two shirt method or a nursing cover will provide you with plenty of privacy and coverage. Make sure the pump you are using has a battery pack. Having a smaller, portable pump for occasional, on the go usage may be preferred by some women. To be more discreet and make the pumping process faster in public, pre assemble all of your pump parts and connect them to clean collection bottles, so that you don’t have to spend time doing it in public. Place your pump parts in a gallon sized zip lock bag to keep them sanitary. After you have pumped, you will need to properly store your milk to preserve it until you’re home. To avoid spills, either pump directly into a milk bag that was designed for direct pumping, or store in bottles. Don’t try to transfer milk from bottles to bags when you’re out and about, you will probably end up spilling and wasting your precious milk!
Place your pumped milk into a cooler with frozen ice packs to keep it cold until you can place it into a refrigerator or freezer when you get home
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